4 Aug
Tue
18th Week in Ordinary Time
Jer. 30:1-2,12-15,18-22
Ps. 101:16-18,19-21,28 and 22-23
Mt. 15:1-2,10-14
(Ps Wk II)
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Jeremiah was not the most cheerful or encouraging of prophets. He seemed to be always preaching 'doom and gloom.' His message to his fellow Israelites was that the suffering and disaster that they had suffered and would suffer for some time to come was their fault. They were guilty - case closed! That was the bad news.

But he also had some very good news for them: God was going to heal and restore the nation. God's compassion would triumph in the end. So it is with us. Often we make a mess of things and suffer the consequences, but God always runs before us so that he can lift us and heal us. No pain or disaster is permanent, but God's compassion and mercy are.

People don't normally walk across the water, but that is exactly what Peter was doing. Peter challenged Jesus to prove that it was truly He by enabling him, Peter, to walk across the water to Him. Sure enough, he did, and Peter was doing just fine. But disaster struck him the moment he took his eyes and his thoughts off Jesus and allowed his fear and doubt to overpower him. He nearly drowned, and a disappointed Jesus chastised him for his lack of faith. With unwavering faith and trust, we can accomplish much and overcome many obstacles. But with fear and doubt at the controls, there is very little that we can do. Perhaps we are like Peter and he is so much like us! Have faith; put away doubt - and wait for the miracles to happen.


Lord, cleanse me of doubt and fear.



DAILY OFFERING
Eternal Father, I offer You everything I do this day; my thoughts, words, joys and sufferings. Grant that, vivified by the Holy Spirit and united to the Sacred Heart of Jesus and the Immaculate Heart of Mary, my life this day may be of service to You and to others. I also pray that all those preparing for marriage discover in Sacrament the source of Christ's grace for living a fithful and fruitful love. Amen.

PRAYING WITH THE CHURCH
INTENTION
We pray for all those who work and live from the sea, among them sailors, fishermen and their families.
Elaboration

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